"There is still room for me to improve, all I can do is become the best version of myself": Jarno Widar remains optimistic despite a season disrupted by setbacks

Jarno Widar’s first season as a professional has been shaped by setbacks, but the Belgian talent is beginning to see signs that his campaign is turning around. After months disrupted by illness and a persistent knee problem, the Lotto-Intermarché rider has returned to racing and is drawing confidence from both his improving form and the success of former rival Paul Seixas, while keeping his long-term ambitions firmly in check.

For years, Widar and Seixas were regarded as two of the brightest talents of their generation. Widar even got the better of the Frenchman on several occasions, including twice at the 2025 Tour de l’Avenir. This season, however, their trajectories have diverged sharply.

While Seixas announced himself among cycling’s elite with victories and podium finishes in major races (he has already won seven times this season), Widar spent much of the spring on the sidelines. Illness first disrupted his preparation and forced him to miss key races, before a training crash led to a knee injury that left him struggling for weeks.

Reflecting on the growing gap between the two riders, Widar pointed out that their development has not followed exactly the same timeline. “Seixas has been training seriously for a few years longer than I have,” the 20-year-old explained in an interview to Het Nieuwsblad. “There is still room for me to improve. At the same time, you never know how a body will develop. All I can do is become the best version of myself.”

The first signs of trouble appeared early in the season. Widar felt unusually weak during training and racing but initially believed it was simply a matter of lacking form. Medical tests later revealed that illness was playing a role, forcing him to miss several important races, including Strade Bianche.

The setbacks did not end there. After a training crash, he developed a knee problem that left him facing weeks of uncertainty. Surgery was considered, but the team opted for a conservative approach and hoped rest would solve the issue. However, that was not the case.

“It was mentally difficult,” Widar admitted. “There was plenty of frustration. But I could start training again at the beginning of May.”

The rise of Seixas has only strengthened his belief that he can eventually compete at the highest level. “Of course it was not pleasant to see him win a race I had really wanted to ride [Flèche Wallonne],” he said. “But watching what he is doing also gives me confidence. I have beaten him in the past.”

Widar also revealed that his current power numbers are approaching the benchmarks of riders like Remco Evenepoel, who recently attracted attention after reports suggested he had recorded an estimated FTP of around 425 watts during altitude training, equivalent to roughly 6.5 watts per kilogram.

According to Widar, his own figures are not far from that level. “Power meters are not always equally accurate, and the body weight being used might not be exact,” he cautioned. “The important difference is that Evenepoel has already proved those numbers in competition. I have not.”

The Belgian believes such values are increasingly becoming the minimum requirement for riders hoping to compete for overall victories in Grand Tours. “In my opinion, you probably need more than 6.5 watts per kilogram now to fight for the general classification in a Grand Tour,” Widar suggested, adding that he believes Pogacar may even be capable of approaching seven watts per kilogram.

Despite the encouraging data and the widespread perception that he is destined to become a Grand Tour contender, Widar remains cautious about placing himself into a specific category too early in his career.

“I do not want to decide already that I am a Grand Tour rider,” he said. “I have never raced one, so I have no idea how my body will respond.”

That question could soon receive an answer. If his recovery continues as planned, Widar is expected to make his Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta a España later this season, with the Tour of Austria and Vuelta a Burgos likely to form part of his preparation.

But for now, however, the Belgian is focusing on rebuilding his condition. “My ambition is straightforward,” Widar concluded. “I want to be as good as possible in every race.”